Distrust

Mistrust has a bad reputation: anyone who is particularly mistrusting is quickly seen as devious, pessimistic, and over-critical. And yet mistrust is more important than we might think. If we were always to trust strangers and unknown situations right away, this would make us vulnerable to manipulation, fraud, and abuse. A healthy amount of skepticism can help to expose lies, uncover attempted fraud, or prevent crime. In a series of short lectures, we address the benefits and burdens of this negative feeling.

Anything is possible? Scepticism and Distrust in Science (Silvia Caprioglio Panizza)
In her lecture philosopher Silvia Caprioglio Panizza sheds light on how distrust can be motivated by factors such as social injustice, racism, or past harm – and why, nevertheless, privileged groups are often mistrustful as well. The philosophical background to many conspiracies is a form of scepticism: the idea that no truth can be proven and hence anything is possible. How does scepticism relate to the loss of privilege and power?

Overcoming Mistrust: The Power of Empathy (Claire Yorke)
Author and academic Claire Yorke talks about how empathy can help to reduce mistrust and foster trust. As an expert on the importance of empathy and emotions in politics and international relations, in her lecture, she explores the opportunities and limitations of empathy in international security policy and how it can contribute to bridging divides, forging new relations and creating a safer and more stable world.

Trust and Scepticism in Journalism: A Balancing Act (Samarth Bansal)
The struggle to strike a balance between trust and mistrust also plays a major role in journalism and the media. Samarth Bansal, a freelance journalist, author, and programmer, entered the media industry through the field of data journalism. In his lecture, Samarth Bansal shares his thoughts on the the importance of communicating uncertainty in journalism.

Shortselling as Ethical Trade? Distrust in the Financial Industry (Fahmi Quadir)
Mistrust also plays an important role in short selling, where investors sell securities they do not own in order to profit from a possible price drop. New York-based hedge fund manager Fahmi Quadir has focused her strategy on uncovering irregularities within companies. She became known to an international audience as one of the first to discover the extent of lies that the only seemingly successful Wirecard AG was telling its financiers. With host Marie-Christine Knop, she talks about the ethical standards behind her work as a short seller.

Marie-Christine Knop is host of the event.